To become an oral pathologist, a dentist must graduate from dental school, obtain a license, complete a residency program, and pass a certification exam. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology offers certification exams that cover various aspects of oral pathology.
An oral pathologist is concerned with diagnosing and treating oral diseases. Dental students who want to become an oral pathologist will need to graduate from dental school, obtain a license as a dentist, and complete an oral pathology residency at a university that offers these residencies. Subsequently, the dentist will need to obtain relevant certification as an oral pathologist, such as that offered by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in the United States. These certification exams usually take a few days to complete and will cover a variety of topics to ensure the dentist is prepared to treat patients like an oral pathologist.
Upon graduation from the faculty of dentistry and with the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) students are eligible to take the exam to obtain a license as a dentist. Students will need to check with their state dental board for testing applications and procedures, as some states conduct proprietary exams while others offer regional exams through a third-party testing provider. Passing the exam will grant the student a license to practice dentistry, and he or she will be able to use the title of dentist. Licensing will also allow the dentist to complete a residency to become an oral pathologist.
After obtaining the license, the dentist will need to apply and gain acceptance into an oral pathology residency program, which is usually offered at leading universities. Dentists who attend a residency to become an oral pathologist will spend three years in residency. Some may choose to stay an extra year or longer to earn a PhD in oral pathology, depending on university requirements. Successful completion of the residency will qualify the dentist to pass the required certification exam to become an oral pathologist.
On successful completion of the residency, the dentist will need to apply for the right to sit the certification exam with the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in the United States, or another approved relevant board if in another country. During the exam, all aspects of oral pathology are usually covered to include surgery, various clinical components, and written parts of the exam to test theory. Those taking the exam will need to set aside several days to complete all required components of the test. Passing the exam certifies the dentist as an oral pathologist, allowing him to use the title professionally.
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